Archives for Happy New Year

We have entered 2019, a fresh new year of opportunities and challenges that will engage our time, resources and imaginations. Whatever project, work or activity we undertake, there is a hope, an expectation of success. But how do we define “success” and experience an authentic sense of accomplishment that enlivens and vitalizes our spirits.

In the weeks leading up to the end of 2018, CEGE Connection reached out to Dr. Rick Nason for his thoughts on the pursuit of success in 2019. We are pleased to present the first post in a series by Dr. Rick Nason that will discuss the theme of success within our dynamic, ever-changing global world. We invite you to join the conversation.

Dr. Rick Nason:

Success is having the strive to get better. If you still have the strive to get better, then you are a success. In business (and in life), perfection is not real. Perfection is nothing more than a concept. No one is perfect, and no one achieves perfection. No organization is perfect, and no organization achieves perfection. However, that does not mean that perfection is not worthy of our efforts. (In the same way, success is nothing more than a concept that no one, or no organization ever really achieves, but a concept that is very much worth striving for regardless.)

It is important to note that striving to get better does not always mean that you will be getting better continually. Striving to get better means that you will need to take risks – some of which may not pay off. Striving to get better involves detours, and doubts and set-backs. Striving to get better is not a linear (much less an exponential) upward path. Striving to get better comes with no guarantees – either explicit or implicit.

Success is enjoying the strive (even though it is not always enjoyable). Success is embracing the strive (although often the strive is ugly and unlikable). Success is getting high on the endorphins that striving provides (although striving just as often produces headaches and heartaches and the most dreaded esteem aches). Success is realizing the value of the strive to become your best self is success personified in you, your thoughts, and your actions.

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language. And next year’s words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.

T.S. Eliot, Four Quartets

January 1, 2019 marks the beginning of a New Year that holds the realization of fresh challenges and opportunities, celebrations and milestones. Whether or not you entertain making New Year’s resolutions, there is a reflective moment that accompanies the transition from one year to another. It is a milestone that allows us to examine the passage of time and look forward to what comes next. Whatever that may be, our efforts and energies are focused on adding to the breadth and depth of knowledge and experience. In so doing, we are active participants in creating positive outcomes, now and for future generations.

As we bid farewell to the Year 2018, the words of T.S. Eliot remind us that with endings there are beginnings that await our voice, our contribution. Welcome to 2019 and the many conversations that are waiting for us in the coming months.

A few centuries back, Meister Eckhart wrote, “And suddenly you know: It’s time to start something new and trust in the magic of beginnings.”

January 1, 2018 marks the beginning of a New Year and the first day of Dalhousie’s third century, a time which promises unimaginative opportunities and possibilities.

Whether or not you entertain making New Year’s resolutions, there is a reflective moment that accompanies the transition from one year to another. It is a milestone that allows us to examine the passage of time and look forward to what comes next. Whatever that may be, our efforts and energies are focused on adding to the breadth and depth of knowledge and experience. In so doing, we are active participants in creating positive outcomes, now and for future generations.

Welcome to 2018. Let’s celebrate DAL200 and the many conversations that are waiting for us in the coming months. This is our time to trust the magic of beginnings.